Santa Clara mayor's bet over 49ers-Falcons game: Peanuts characters?!

SANTA CLARA -- With Sunday's NFC Championship game on everyone's mind, it's time for the obligatory friendly bets between mayors. So what is the mayor of Santa Clara, the future home of the San Francisco 49ers, wagering on behalf of his city?

Exactly what you think of when you imagine Silicon Valley: Snoopy and Charlie Brown plush toys and bobbleheads.

Huh?

Mayor Jamie Matthews says the Peanuts characters are fitting because the mascots roam the city's Great America theme park, which is next to the $1.2 billion new stadium and the Niners' current training facility and headquarters.

The bet is with Mike Miller, mayor of Flowery Branch, Ga., where the Atlanta Falcons' training facility and headquarters are located (a separate bet between the mayors of Atlanta and San Francisco hasn't been announced yet). Miller is offering a case of Wrigley's gum, since the company's largest plant is in Flowery Branch.

"Like Lucy, the 49ers are going to snatch the ball away from the Falcons and take it into the end zone," Matthews said in a statement announcing the wager. "I'm looking forward to doubling the pleasure and doubling the fun of the Super Bowl with a victory stick of Wrigley gum."

The loser will also have to wear the opposing team's jersey during a City Council meeting.

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"Santa Clara will have a lot to chew on when the 49ers lose on Sunday, but it won't be with our gift of gum," Miller said.